Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it captured British oil tanker Stena Impero in the Persian Gulf on Friday after Britain seized an Iranian vessel earlier this month, further raising tensions along a vital international oil shipping route.
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said said Iran's seizure of the Stena Impero — as well as a Liberian-flagged vessel that was boarded by armed personnel in the Strait of Hormuz — was "completely unacceptable" and called for freedom of navigation in the Gulf.
"We will respond in a way that is considered but robust," Hunt said. "We are not looking at military options, we are looking at a diplomatic way to resolve the situation but we are very clear that it must be resolved.
"If freedom of navigation is restricted Iran is the biggest loser, it is in their interests to resolve this situation as quickly as possible."
Hunt said he had spoken to U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo to discuss the situation, and expected to speak to his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, who he said was currently on a plane.
The U.S. military said that unarmed surveillance aircraft were in international airspace, monitoring the Strait of Hormuz and had been in contact with U.S. ships in the area.
"We have patrol aircraft operating in international airspace monitoring the situation within the Strait of Hormuz," said Lt.-Col. Earl Brown, a U.S. Central Command spokesperson.
"U.S. Naval Forces Central Command has been in contact with U.S. ships operating in the area to ensure their safety," Brown said.
Stena Bulk and Northern Marine Management said in a statement that the British vessel was approached by unidentified small craft and a helicopter while the vessel was in international waters in the strait.
The Revolutionary Guard's website, sepahnews.com, said the British tanker was seized Friday by Revolutionary Guard forces for "non-compliance with international maritime laws and regulations" and has transferred the vessel to an Iranian port.
The report did not elaborate what port it was transferred to. IRNA, Iran's state news agency, said the tanker had turned off its tracker and ignored warnings.
The Stena Impero's British operator, however, said the vessel was in full compliance with all navigation and international regulations.
There are 23 people aboard and there have been no reported injuries, according to the statement from Stena Bulk and Northern Marine Management.
"The priority of both vessel owner Stena Bulk and ship manager Northern Marine Management is the safety and welfare of the crew," the statement read.
An Iranian news agency said the other tanker, the Mesdar, had not been seized but had been issued a warning. Its British operator, Norbulk Shipping, said the Liberian-registered vessel had been boarded by armed personnel and it was for a while unable to contact the vessel.
"Communication has been re-established with the vessel and master confirmed that the armed guards have left and the vessel is free to continue the voyage. All crew are safe and well," it said.
'Nothing but trouble'
Hunt said Britain's ambassador in Tehran was in contact with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve the situation and that Britain was working closely with international partners.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran is "nothing but trouble," but added that he thinks that the standoff with Tehran will eventually work out "very nicely."
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said "Iran is showing their colours" with the seizures. He said "Iran is in big trouble right now" because its economy has been crippled by economic sanctions and said it would be easy to straighten out the problem, or to make it worse.
Relations between Iran and the West have been increasingly strained after Britain seized an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar on suspicion of smuggling oil to Syria in breach of European Union sanctions.
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